3 Thoughts from a New Coach

Check out our BRAND NEW mobile site!

Decorate your box for the Holidays – click any image below to purchase!

I have been an avid member of the CrossFit community for more than three years. Upon beginning this journey, I quickly became immersed in all things CrossFit. After two years, I obtained my Level 1 Certificate and was ready to share my knowledge. I’m a teacher. I have been all my life. I was extrememly eager to translate my teaching to the subject of CrossFit. In the last few months I have been given this chance. I can describe this experience in two words (one compound word?): eye opening.

Being on the other side of the class has changed my perspective tremendously. I have always respected our trainers, and have always known they do the absolute best for each of the athletes in the gym, no matter their training ability. However, stepping in to the trainer role changed how I approach my own training and taught me just how much goes in to a typical class on a typical day. There are three things your coach wants you to know. Because the Internet loves a good list, let me break it down for you.

1. Athletes: Worry About You

Athletes need to worry about their own depth, their own count, their own training… and let the coach take care of the entire class.

Previously, when I was participating in the classes as an athlete, I would look around the gym while resting (which was often) and observe. I would get frustrated at fellow athletes who just couldn’t seem to hit the bottom of a squat, or those who seemed to do fewer reps than the rest of us. I knew our coaches were working with them and speaking with them. I certainly didn’t think they were “getting away” with anything. I would just simply get frustrated that I seemed to be killing myself and others didn’t have that desire. What I have learned on the flip side of this is that there is a lot of private coaching that goes in to a class. Not everyone hears the suggestions or decisions made between a particular athlete and the coach. Sometimes you have an athlete who has very limited mobility in the hips, and the coach knows that, so she doesn’t stress (yet) over not hitting the bottom of a squat, but simply encourages the athlete to push a little deeper. Maybe the athlete who is “cutting reps” is new, and isn’t quite ready to tackle 50 kettlebell swings in the middle of a long WOD. Basically, what I have learned is that good coaches know the limitations and abilities of each of their athletes, and it’s not up to the participants to worry about it. Athletes need to worry about their own depth, their own count, their own training… and let the coach take care of the entire class.